This elegant home, built in 1891, is a stunning example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, inside and out. All of the rooms on the mansion's three floors reveal the ornate style of the era. Rooms on the second and third floor also feature rotating exhibits that are on display for 3 to 6 months. Some are more permanent.
Our firearms exhibit displays pre-Civil War era firearms that are either directly or indirectly related to Erie. This exhibit has rifles made by Erie gunsmiths, guns owned by Erie families, War of 1812 era muskets, and archaeological finds from the site of Fort Presque Isle. Some of the firearms were made by Erie firearm manufacturers Daniel Weeks and Henry S. Drake. Daniel Weeks was known as one of the best rifle shots in Northwest Pennsylvania. Moving to Erie in 1849, he was a “practical gunsmith” operating out of 139 State Street and later 1203 State Street. Henry S. Drake appears on an 1851 map as a gunsmith and brass foundry on State Street between 7th and 8th.
While not much is known about him, based on our collection, he made percussion rifles, some with octagon barrels. Additional firearms are linked to Henry Jarecki's brass foundry and Hugh Lord's family and company, the Lord Corporation.
Our museum hosts exhibits curated by smaller Erie County historical societies. Currently, the Fort Leboeuf Historical Society provides a fascinating overview of the Waterford community and its root. George Washington was there, you know! Really! Highlights include registers from the Eagle Hotel and items from the Waterford Academy.
Did you ever wonder what our staff would like to see as an exhibit? We did!
Opening on Saturday, July 6, the exhibit will feature some of the artifacts that staff and volunteers really wanted you to see.
The third floor also includes a tribute to our regional YMCA, which celebrates with the exhibit Generations of Impact: 165 Years of the YMCA of Greater Erie. The organization started a library, adult education classes for immigrants with discussions, prayer groups and even affordable housing. The Y initiated basketball games, swimming pools, organized camp for boys and built public playgrounds. The Y also built suburban centers with Glenwood, Eastside and County Ys, offering faciitlite and daycare centers.
If you visited the animals, rode the train, skated around the ice rink, and maybe even worked there, join us for some memories.
These will illuminate our second floor in an exhibit of windows and panels that adorned these commercial buildings. Backlighting will reveal the vibrant colors of the original glass designs.
Eurgene Iverd gained recognition for his cover illustrations in popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, McCall’s, Ladies Home Journal, and The American Magazine and for Campbell’s Soup and many others.
The original watercolor paintings, by local artist Lester R. Roesner, feature landscapes or cityscapes. depicting scenes in the Erie area from the mid-20th century. Roesner was born February 27, 1905, in Waukegan, Illinois and later attended Academy High School in Erie. He graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and returned to Erie. He painted an Erie Series of buildings in addition to national works. He also completed murals in local schools and organizations.
He was president of the Erie Art Club in 1938 and was employed as the art director at the National Service Engraving Company. He also opened an art studio in Erie.
The following exhibits remain on display:
Our Hours:
Erie campus:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesday: 10 am - 5 pm
Thursday: 10 am - 5 pm
Friday: 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 5 pm
*****Girard campus is open for special events only
